Other Than Random Modulation

by Herd Of The Ether Space

1 By The River (12/22/89)
2 In The Cold Sunlight (12/30/89)
3 The Revolving Door Of Storms (02/17/90)
4 Warm Liquid Cake (12/22/89)
5 Squash Blossoms (12/30/89)
6 Illumined For An Instant In Mayonnaise Money (02/17/90)
7 Sour Fections (12/30/89)
8 The Smokers Are Re-Upping (02/17/90)
9 Opera For The Slovenly Tourists Of Rome (12/22/89)
10 Prism Bars (12/30/89)
11 Claws Longer Than Your Middle Finger (02/27/88 & 12/2/89)

Released in 1990 by Taped Rugs Productions, the cassette album entitled: “Other Than Random Modulation” features the first Herd Of The Ether Space recordings that were actually “composed” on a four track cassette recorder. Charles Rice Goff III hosted three special recording sessions at the Taped Rugs studio in Oakland, California, in December, 1989, and in February, 1990. Goff initiated several new members into the Herd to participate in these sonic rendezvous. A newly acquired four track tape recorder’s capacities for speed variation, backwards recording, and effects processing, were thoroughly explored as compositional tools during these sessions. The many tracks that were mixed down into compositions from these sessions were pure, improvised, first takes (not one “re-do” in the bunch). The results are true examples of “experimental” sound sculpture.

The first of the recording sessions, held on December 22nd, 1989, featured Goff, Will Flanagan (now Will Marston), and Jeff Faulkner. Guitars, strange percussion devices, flutes, saxophone, toys, and vocals were combined in various ways to create three compositions.

The second session, held on December 30th, 1989, featured Goff, George Gibson, and Ric E. Braden. Four compositions were produced at this gathering, which incorporated prerecorded tapes, saxophone, synthesizers, percussion, toys, and the voices of all three participants. Tracks were recorded at various speeds in various directions. For several of the takes, the performers improvised their noises while sequestered off in a room alone.

The third session took place on February 17th, 1990, and featured Goff, Gibson, Julia May, and Viki O'Melveny. The three pieces created at this session are dominated by the voices of the participants. Electric guitar, modified casio keyboard, electric organ, flutes, saxophone, trombone, and various percussion devices make up the other elements of these genuinely crazed compositions.

Other Than Random Modulation also features a 45 minute sound collage entitled: “Claws Longer Than Your Middle Finger” that Goff melded from two very different 1980’s recording sessions:

* A Frippertronics-style tape loop recording from February 27, 1988, which showcases the talents of Stuart Sands, Kevin Pittman, and Goff himself. Electronic bass and guitars dominate this session, but there are some other elements present, particularly some up-front, off-center phonograph records.

* A stereo tape recording from December 2nd, 1989, featuring George Gibson, Will Tait, and Goff. This one is a no-holds-barred cornucopia of madness. Hand drums, kalimbas, off-center records, modified keyboards, a biofeedback machine, and a wildly blown saxophone light some of the sparks for this fiery jam. All three participants also read aloud bits of news reports and advertisements from various 1950s magazines.


copyright 1988, 1989, and 1990

by Taped Rugs Productions

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